Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Dance (’cause it brings me joy), pick up my Buttercup bridesmaid’s dress for Jen’s wedding; start eating more fiber (hey! it fills ya up) if the dress is still a bit too snug.

Your turn. Just copy the empty list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

Mood:
Socks:
Fight song of the week:
Lips:
Fragrance:
Mascara:
Thinking about:
Hair:
What I’d do if I didn’t have to go to work/school today:
Goals for the week:

Are you ready to conquer Monday, ladies?

Let’s do this! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Oct. 5

October 5th, 2008 by Karen 15 Comments

WOW! I can’t believe how fast this weekend zoomed by. I managed to clean off my desk, but I never left the house once all day long. How embarrassing. Matter of fact, I’m still in my jammies from last night… and it’s 10pm.

Well, at least I’m ready for bed. 🙂

I hope you had a nice weekend. Let’s meet in the morning for coffee. *Lots* of coffee!

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Cargo Blu Ray Pressed Powder: Ready for My Close Up, Mr. Deville

October 5th, 2008 by Karen 28 Comments

High definition TV (HD TV) has totally changed the entertainment makeup industry — no more hiding behind the camera, relying on low resolution TV to smooth out fine lines and blur away imperfections. Now, thanks to HD TV, the difference between good and bad TV makeup has become more apparent than ever before.

Earlier this year, to meet the demands of HD TV and to take advantage of the move to high definition, cosmetics company Cargo released the Blu Ray collection (as in Sony’s Blu-Ray HD disc format). The five-piece collection was specifically designed to conceal skin imperfections while maintaining a natural look both on and off camera.

Why Powder?

Worn on top of foundation, pressed powder evens skin tone and reduces the look of fine lines while restoring skin’s natural appearance.

Why Blu Ray?

Cargo infused Blu Ray with softening agents, like optical blurring and photochromatic pigments, which, according to the company, reduce the look of fine lines, minimize flaws and cover imperfections in a variety of lighting conditions.

And photography — particularly good photography — is all about lighting. According to Cargo, Blu Ray works particularly well when you think you might be photographed, like at a prom or wedding, or even if you don’t expect to have your picture taken but want that same soft, natural look.

I’ve been using Blu Ray Pressed Powder for about a week now, and while I haven’t found myself being photographed or filmed for any TV shows yet (LOL!), I’ve been pleased with the results.

Texture

The first thing I noticed about the Pressed Powder was how soft and fine the texture felt when I swiped my finger across the pan. It’s a little softer than usual for a pressed powder.

Color

It comes in just a single shade, the color of which varies depending on application. When applied lightly with a fluffy powder blush, it appears colorless and translucent (diffuses light; semi-transparent) on my skin; however, when I apply a heavier coat with a kabuki brush, the powder takes on a slightly yellow tone.

Other off-yellow powders have tended to make my skin look sallow, but Pressed Powder doesn’t. Cargo seems to have found the right amount of yellow to balance out the pink areas around my chin and nose.
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L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream: A Bedtime Treat

October 4th, 2008 by Karen 27 Comments

My skin gets progressively drier as the temperature drops, and I’ve officially entered seasonal hand cream overdrive. My new favorite, L’Occitane’s Lavender Hand Cream ($28), smells divine.

Fast Absorbing, No SPF

It contains moisturizing shea butter, lavender essential oil, rosemary extract and vitamin E, but, unlike Neutrogena Age Shield Hand Cream, my go-to daytime hand cream, L’Occitane Lavender does not contain SPF.

Despite the lack of sun protection, I dig how quickly it absorbs (and doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy), despite its thick consistency, and feel that it’s fantastic for use at night.

Relaxing Lavender Scent

I’ve made Lavender Hand Cream part of my nightly ritual. Sometimes I have trubs getting restful sleep, so I try to do things to signal to my body when it’s time to go to bed, like turning off the computer an hour before bedtime (LOL, this one is so hard!) and sipping chamomile tea.

L’Occitane’s subtle lavender and powder fragrance definitely helps me unwind. In bed I massage a bead the size of a jelly bean into my hands and wrists and let the scent soothe me to sleep.

Pricey, but a Little Goes a Long Way

L’Occitane’s Lavender Hand Cream might not be as budget-friendly as many drugstore hand creams like $6 Neutrogena Age Shield Hand Cream, but the 5.2-oz tube should last a while. It’s a luxurious nighttime indulgence, and in today’s busy world we need all the help we can get.

L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream

Price: $28 for a large 5.2-oz tube
Use: A moisturizing hand cream with a soothing lavender scent; contains no SPF
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

I wanted to make this a productive weekend, but so far I’ve just fooled around, gahhh! I better get on the ball here before it’s too late. That laundry ain’t gonna do itself! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Summer Sendoff: 12 September Posts You May Have Missed

October 4th, 2008 by Karen 9 Comments

1. A Blue, Pink and Silver Eye with Clarins So Sublime Quartet

“I didn’t think I’d be able to use the colors in the So Sublime quad when I first saw them a few weeks ago because they seemed too bright, but playing with them today changed my mind. I like the results. I think I’ll include this eye in my regular rotation of work friendly (yet colorful) looks. Yes, Virginia, you too can wear hot pink eye shadow!” Read more…

2. How To: A Purple Smokey Eye with Stila Convertible Eye Color in Violet

“I hate going to work completely tow’ up, but it seems like I’m always running late. What I need are makeup tools and tips to help me save time when I’m getting ready for work, and I think I found one: Stila Convertible Eye Color ($20). ” Read more…

3. The Chanel Smoky Eye Quad Seduction

“She arrived dressed to thrill in a sleek black compact — four sophisticated shadows born to seduce and built to weaken knees. Crafted to create the ultimate smoky eye, she prepared to do her dance of makeup seduction. Even before I opened the Chanel Smoky Eye Quad ($56), I could hear her siren song.” Read more…

4. Looking for Cheap, Stylish Ways to Organize Your Makeup?

“Your local art store may have just the thing you need to keep your growing makeup stash organized. Most arts and crafts stores stock unvarnished wooden boxes in assorted shapes and sizes. They make perfect (and affordable) makeup storage containers. I spied these boxes, each ranging from a whopping $1.50 to a staggering $3, at my local Ben Franklin Craft Store this afternoon. They’re perfect for storing eye shadows, blushes, glosses or whatever your makeup-lurving heart desires.” Read more…

5. MAC Cosmetics Cremesheen Product Pictures and Swatches

“A new kid’s in town, and her name is Cremesheen — MAC Cremesheen. The collection joins two other major MAC releases that arrived on counters nationwide today: Suite Array, and Gold Fever (exclusive to Nordstrom stores). Say hello to Cremesheen’s 14 new lipstick colors.” Read more…

6. Diorshow Iconic Mascara Lengthens, Curls and Defines Lashes with Ease

“Some products are so good in certain ways that their strengths totally outweigh their weaknesses. For me, Diorshow Iconic Mascara ($27) is one of those products. The newest member of Dior’s lash arsenal doesn’t produce the thickest lashes I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t thicken as well as, say, Chanel Exceptionnel does, but it lengthens, curls and defines lashes so amazingly well that I don’t mind at all.” Read more…
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YOU MUST CHOOSE: The Big Hands Edition

October 3rd, 2008 by Karen 33 Comments

1. Big Hands or Big Feet?

If you had to pick one, would you rather have huge feet (at least you’ll never need to rent snorkel flippers) OR oversized hands?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

2. Red Eyes or Green Tongue?

Bright red eyes OR neon green tongue?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

3. $1 Million Tattoo: Misspelled Quote or Screech from Saved by the Bell?

A wealthy, eccentric billionaire with a twisted sense of humor offers you $1 million if you get a tattoo for him — either your favorite quote on the side of your neck (unfortunately, weirdo billionaire demands that half the words be spelled incorrectly) OR a lifelike rendition of Screech from Saved by the Bell on your left boob. The contract stipulates that you can’t remove or attempt to conceal either tattoo with makeup for the rest of your life.
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

4. Eyebrow Issues or Hairy Back?

Would you rather have out-of-control, bushy eyebrows (which you can’t trim or modify) and a smooth, hairless back, OR really nice brows but out-of-control, bushy hair on your back (which you can’t wax or shave)?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

5. Unwashed Hair or Makeup-Free?

Which would be less offensive: not being able to wash your hair for two months OR not being allowed to wear any makeup for two months?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

6. Choose Your Curse

Your ex is hella bitter and bestows a curse upon you. Would you rather be cursed with embarrassing dance moves in public (you’re compelled to dance to every song — even slow ones — with both your arms raised up in the air; wave ’em round like you just don’t care), OR would you rather be doomed to having every pair of socks you wear constantly slip down your legs?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

7. Which of Your Ex’s as Friends?

Speaking of ex’s, which one of yours would you wish you were still friends with (initials are perfectly fine for this answer) and why?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

To play You Must Choose, just copy the list below and paste it with your answers in the comments. 🙂

1. Big hands or big feet?
2. Red eyes or green tongue?
3. $1 Million tattoo: misspelled quote or Screech?
4. Eyebrow issues or hairy back?
5. Unwashed hair or makeup-free for two months?
6. Cursed with bad dance moves or slipping socks?
7. Which of your ex’s as friends?

TGIF! It was one of those crazy weeks at work, and I’m so glad it’s Friday. I was really hoping to go for a run today, but the sky is an ominous shade of gray. I think it might rain. I don’t run in the rain anymore, not since the Bay to Breakers race a few years ago, when it rained the entire time. I was sopping wet and freezing with squishy socks for seven miles. No thank you! Talk about traumatizing, LOL!

Time for another cup of coffee. 🙂

Having a good Friday so far?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Emanuel Ungaro Product Pictures, Swatches and First Impressions

October 2nd, 2008 by Karen 39 Comments

MAC’s highly anticipated collaboration with designer Emanuel Ungaro arrived on counters nationwide today, and it reminds me of stargazer lilies — like a dreamy watercolor painting, with pops of bright but sheer magenta accenting its palette of soft pastels.

As a collection, Emanuel Ungaro is delicate, feminine and youthful, like dewy morning flowers and gossamer gowns. I’d say it’s more youthful than both Cremesheen and Cult of Cherry.

The entire MAC Emanuel Ungaro collection includes…
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Blogging for Breast Cancer – Site of the Day

October 2nd, 2008 by Karen 10 Comments

It won’t take long for the ribbons and pink din of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to fade into the background of our busy lives, so we’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot.

Breast cancer awareness and supporting groups like the BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Fund) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure are very personal causes for many.

Last night, Nancy from Beauty411 sent out an email to members of the Beauty Blog Network explaining why she was participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I asked her if I could reproduce it here…

I’m blogging pink in honor of my mom, who passed away from breast cancer. This is also why I am so committed to the Estee Lauder brand and am so grateful for their partnership in October with the BBN [Beauty Blog Network].

My mom was seeing an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic and had received many different cancer treatments, as she was participating in clinical trials. She was so brave. I had read that there was a center within the Mayo Clinic where you could go and beauticians were on hand to fit you with a wig. I convinced my mom that we should at least check it out.

When we went there, the staff couldn’t have been more supportive. They fitted my mom with a wig (she had lost much of her hair, and although she was self conscious, she was too proud to admit that she “needed” one). They also came out with a box of cosmetics — all Estee Lauder brands. The first thing my mom did was pick up a lipstick and apply it. My eyes met hers in the mirror and she said “I think it’s going to be ok, now.”

That box of cosmetics got my mom through a very difficult day and through many more. I wish I knew the person at their Corporate office that I could thank and tell them how much that meant to me and my mom. That’s why the BCRF is so important to me, also. That’s why I blog pink in October.

Nancy
~Beauty411

Throughout October, Nancy will feature pink products on her blog, many of them Estee Lauder brands. In the left sidebar, she’s running a ChipIn widget for donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and will also hold a contest at the end of the month.

Nancy has put a lot of work into breast cancer awareness this month. Let’s show her some love and leave her some comments. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen